Page 42 of Grimoires & Glamoury

“Exactly,” I replied.

“So, the Vampires are out for blood.”

“Granny.” I shook my head. “That’s a terrible pun.”

“I’m right though,” she insisted. “Which Vampire House?”

“House Olarescu.”

My grandmother began to swear, but eventually she wound down. “How soon do you leave for the hollow?” she asked.

“Soon,” I said, hauling my giant tote bag from under the bed. “Tomorrow, I imagine.”

“You be careful in Hemlock Hollow,” she said. “The Fae, they play dangerous games.”

“I’m not likely to forget.”

“I’m sorry, darlin’,” she said in a completely different and softer tone. “I didn’t mean to bring back bad memories.”

“It’s okay, Granny,” I was quick to assure her.

“You call me if you need my help,” she insisted. “I’ll also send protection to you and that Montgomery fellow. You’ll need it while you’re in the hollow.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh,” she said. “We got off the subject with all this Vampire and Fae drama, who’s the child that’s in your house, by the way?”

I frowned. “There isn’t any. Are you sensing a spirit?”

“No,” she said. “This is a living child. She has braided pigtails and was wearing a pink summer dress. Seems to me that she belongs there. With you.”

“Nope,” I said. “Sorry to disappoint, and before you ask, there is no chance that I am pregnant. I haven’t been with anyone in over a year.”

“Well, I’ve seen her sitting at your table, along with her very attractive father. She was eating a cheeseburger. They’re her favorite food.”

I chuckled. “That’s oddly specific.”

“Don’t sass me young lady.”

“Never,” I said soberly.

“And you mark my words, that girl and her father are going to change your life.”

“Umm hmm,” I said, folding up a jacket to take along.

“You listening to me, girl?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Well, you keep me updated, you hear?”

“I will. Love you, Granny.”

“I love you too,” she said.

***

By noon the next day we were on our way. Charles had arranged for a private plane to fly us to Rolla, Missouri, and then we’d rent a car from there and drive in. I knew the man was well-off, but the ease at which he arranged everything was telling. Also, I’d never flown in a private jet before—I’d only flown commercially a handful of times—and I discovered that I didn’t like it. At all.